Student Assembly Meeting

Thursday, December 4, 2025

• Term:
  2025-2026
• Assembly/Committee: Student Assembly
• Date & Time:
  Thu, Dec 4, 2025 - 4:45pm
  to
  6:30pm
• Location:
  Willard Straight Hall Memorial Room (WSH407)/Zoom
• Agenda:
• Meeting Packet:
• Audio Recording:
• Minutes:

  1.Call to Order
       a. Z. deRham called the meeting to order at 4:45 PM.
       b. Members Present: D. Addoquaye, A. Aftab, S. Agarwal, J. Anand, L. Blum, D. Carson, M. Causey, A. Cekic, C. Cook, Z. deRham, M. Ehrlich, A. Fard, C. Flournoy, E. Galperin, I. Gayle, L. Han, V. Kakra, C. Kim, Y. Masoud, J. Mui, E. Porter, H. Spector, J. Swavy, C. Tarala, A. Vallecillo, T. Waguespack, A. Walters, H. Watkins, J. Wu, Z. Yabut, E. Yao, K. Young
       c. Members Absent: G. Dorward, K. Krishtopa, J. Purcell
       d. Also Present: E. Chaudhuri, I. Gilenson, N. Hite

  
  2. Reading of the Land Acknowledgment
       a. Z. deRham stated the land acknowledgement.

  
  3. Consent Calendar
       a. None.

  
  4. Reports of Officers, Committees, and Liaisons
       a. E. Galperin - dining - not having? anyone have anything on resolution 6, there will be more discussion next sem

  
  5. Public Comment Microphone
       a. A speaker notes the high increase in student activity fee.

  
  6. Presentations
       a. Moved to the first meeting of the spring.

  
  7. Announcements
       a. T. Waguespack announces that newsletters are coming out tomorrow morning.

  
  8. Second Readings
       a. None.

  
  9. Third Readings
       a. Resolution 19: University-Wide Disassociation
            i. L. Blum shares that this resolution is to have Cornell disassociate from fossil fuels, including companies, and prevent representatives from researchers at Cornell.
            ii. D. Carson - asks where the resolution is with the other bodies.
                 1. L. Blum shares that she can get updates, but the student assembly’s status is likely similar to other bodies.
            iii. E. Galperin asks if there were any steps taken to stop use of fossil fuels.
                 1. L. Blum shares that Cornell compiled a finance spreadsheet of where money is going in relation to fossil fuels that specified many research projects on campus. There are representatives being part of the research here in some capacity. It’s less about trucks on campus, but more about not having them skew research data.
            iv. E. Galperin motions to close debate, no dissent.
            v. The resolution passes by a vote of 28-0-0.
       b. Resolution 20: Protecting Cornell’s Values from the Trump Administration
            i. H. Watkins shared that the resolution is for the student assembly to express a public opinion. Many DEI protections were removed and Cornell is not about any person, any agriculture. Speaks against Cornell’s cowardice from the White House administration.
            ii. A. Walters shares that the actions set a dangerous precedent. If we don't speak up, who will?
            iii. E. Galperin shares that the administration agreed on the condition that the government ends the title 6 investigation. A settlement won't make the issues go away. The administration is weaponing real issues that need to be addressed. He asks if there is some solution we can offer in the process.
                 1. H. Watkins will think of solutions next semester, mainly with helping protect undergraduate Cornell students.
            iv. J. Swavy is in support of the resolution and attended a Cornell event about
  academic freedom. Suggests collaborating with impacted professors.
            v. N. Hite supports this resolution, reasoning that the university is paying the government to drop the investigation, and it is important for the student assembly to have their hands in that. Cornell has bodies and people to talk to for the campus atmosphere. This is more of an internal issue.
            vi. A. Aftab motions to end debate, no dissent.
            vii. The resolution passes by a vote of 28-0-0.
       c. Resolution 21: Approving the Recommendation for the 2026-2028 Student Activity Fee
            i. H. Watkins acknowledges that a $476 student fee is a lot to ask, but there's a lot of value in putting a bold student activity fee. Many are expecting to meet somewhere in the middle. They are continuously trying to see cuts regarding organizations with concerns. The student activity fee was agreed upon.
            ii. K. Young thanks the finance committee for their work despite the backlash they received. There are many gray areas in charter, but there is not much that can be done. Motions to close debate, no dissent.
            iii. The resolution passes by a vote of 26-2-0.
            iv. Z. deRham moves to enter into executive session, no dissent.

  
  10. Appointments and Vacancies Calendar
       a. None.

  
  The meeting was adjourned at 6:19 PM by unanimous consent.
  
   

  SA Minutes 12-4-2025.docx.pdf (136.74 KB)